Corporate Governance

New York -- Entertainer Nick Jonas joined Lord & Taylor/Hudson’s Bay president Liz Rodbell for the unveiling of the department store’s annual holiday windows on NYC’s Fifth Avenue on Thursday, marking the 100th anniversary of the retailer’s holiday window program.  

There are more than 20,000 Starbucks around the globe, but only one of those stores—specifically the one in the artsy Fremont section of Seattle— has a five-foot tall neon letter “f” inside it.  Read more   

Dollar General is leveraging the expansive reach of its more than 11,500 stores this holiday season to benefit several organizations aligned with the retailer’s mission of serving others.

The retailer is partnering with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital’s Thanks and Giving campaign and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation’s “You’re the Hero” toy drive, as well as other local toy drives, to offer customers an opportunity to give back this holiday season.
 

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. retail sales edged up in October, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, evidence that recent job gains and lower gas prices are lifting consumer spending as the holiday shopping season begins. Retail sales rose 0.3% last month after falling by the same amount in September. Excluding gas stations, where falling prices lowered spending, sales rose a solid 0.5%.  

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard's Inc. reported Thursday a profit of $55.2 million in its fiscal third quarter, up 8.4% over the $50.9 million profit in the same period last year.   Sales, however, dipped to $1.460 billion, from $1.469 billion, and same-stores sales declined 1%.   Still, said CEO William T. Dillard II, "We believe we are positioned very well for the holiday season.”  

Commerce, Calif. -- Smart & Final Stores, Inc. reported that profit for the third quarter edged up 1.9% to $10.2 million. Sales surged 10.8% to $1.13 billion, and same-store sales leapt 6.6%.   “We continue to grow sales in both of our store banners--Smart & Final and Cash & Carry--and this has translated into strong financial results.," said Dave Hirz, president and CEO.  

DHL Global Mail is rebranding itself as DHL eCommerce in response to projections of significant growth in e-commerce, especially in emerging markets, the company said.

DHL announced it is enhancing its services across the entire logistics chain to meet the rising demand for automated e-commerce solutions in such industry sectors as fashion, consumer electronics, media products and consumer pharmaceutical products. At the same time, DHL eCommerce will continue to provide customers with services for domestic and international B2C shipping.

Houston -- Marcus & Millichap announced the sale of The Villagio at Cinco Ranch, an 111,963-sq.-ft. lifestyle shopping center in Katy, Texas. The asset had a list price of $31,290,000; however, the terms of the sale of were not released.   Derek Hargrove, senior associate, and Justin Miller, vice president investments, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, The Marcel Group.